This week’s parasha is entitled, B’Shalach, which means “when he let go” and covers Exodus 13:17 – 17:16.  When he let go refers to pharaoh letting the Israelis depart from Egypt after the 10th plague, the death of the first born. After their release, the Lord does not lead the Israelis in a direct route […]

This week our parasha is “Bo”, which translates to Go, and covers Exodus 10:1-13:16.  In this parasha we will see our people finally leave Egypt and the foolishness of trying to thwart the will of Adonai. We begin in Exodus 10, with Pharaoh still refusing to let our people go.  The Lord tells Moses to […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Va’era, which means “and I appeared,” and covers Exodus 6:2 through 9:35.  God tells Moses that He had established His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and He has remembered His covenant.  Moses is to tell the Israelis that Adonai will rescue them from Egyptian slavery and bring […]

This week our parasha is Shemot meaning “names” and begins the book of Exodus.  Shemot is also the Hebrew name for this book.  It begins with the birth of Moses and takes us through chapter 6:1 where he has his first confrontation with Pharaoh.  In this parasha we will see the great commission the Lord […]

This week’s parasha is entitled Vayechi, meaning, “and he lived.” It covers Genesis 47:28-50:26 and this completes the book of Genesis. Israel and his sons were now living comfortably in Egypt, though due to the ongoing famine, the Egyptians were impoverished in their own land. It is interesting to note that Joseph spent the first […]

Last week’s Torah portion was entitled, Vayeshev, which means, “and he settled.”  It covers Genesis 37: 1-40:23. After more than 20 years of being away, Jacob returns to the Promised Land and settles in Hebron.  In Chapter 37, we are introduced to Joseph, who is Jacob’s favorite son, born of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife.  Jacob gives this favorite son […]

The parasha for this week is entitled MiKetz, meaning “at the conclusion” and covers Genesis 41:1-44:17. Joseph has been in prison in Egypt on a bogus rape charge. Poor Joseph; betrayed by his brothers, enslaved in Egypt, imprisoned on false charges. Yet everywhere he went, Joseph conducted himself with integrity, and God gave him favor. […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Vayishlach, which means “and he sent,” and covers Genesis 32:4 through 36:43.  In continuing with the previous parasha, Jacob sends messengers to his brother Esau to gain Esau’s favor.  They return with news that Esau is coming toward Jacob with 400 men.  Jacob is terrified and divides the […]

This week’s Parasha is Vayetze and covers Genesis 28:10 – 32:3. Jacob has had to flee his home after deceiving his father into giving him the blessing intended for Esau and, at his parents’ instructions, journeys to his uncle, Laban. In chapter 28, Jacob has traveled a full day’s distance, and arrives at a certain […]

The name of this week’s parasha is Toldot, which means “generations” and covers Genesis 25:19-28:9.  Isaac prayed to Adonai for his wife Rebecca to bear children and his prayer was answered.  During Rebecca’s pregnancy, the children struggled inside her and she asked God why.  Adonai told her that two nations were inside her; one stronger […]